International Football History and Statistics

On this day in football history

1884 After holding Preston North End to a goalless draw in a FA Cup Fourth Round tie, Upton Park complained that their opponents were professionals. The FA upheld the protest and awarded them the tie. In the early days of the competition it was common for beaten clubs to protest either about the state of the pitch or the validity of the opposing side's players and in many cases these protests were upheld and replays ordered or ties awarded to the plaintifs. In some instances three or four replays for one tie were ordered on upheld protests.

1914 Louis Bookman won his firts Irish cap against Wales at Wrexham. He was the first Jewish player to appear for one of the four Home countries in an international. Between 1911 and 1923 he played 142 League games and scored 9 golas for Bradford City, Luton Town and Port Vale and won three further caps after the First War.

1929 Berwick Rangers lost 3-9 to Ayr United. This is believed to be the first instance of a Scottish Cup tie being played in England. Conversely, FA Cup ties did take place in Scotland when Rangers and Queens Park took part in the competition in the early days.

1929 Sheffield United inflicted a record defeat on Burnley when they beat them 10-0 in Division One. Johnson(4), Tunstall(2), Phillipson(2) Gibson and Gillespie scored for the Blades.

1952 Oldham Athletic inflicted a record defeat on Chester City when they beat them 11-2 in Division Three North. Gemmell(7), Goodfellow, Warner, Smith and Munro scored for Oldham while Chester's replies came from Moremont and Jones.

1954 Eric Gemmell, Oldham Athletic centre-forward, transferred to Crewe Alexandra. He began with Manchester City but did not make their League team and moved to Oldham in 1947. Was their top scorer with 24 goals in 27 matches in 1952-53 when they won the Third Division North and in January 1952 got seven of his side's eleven against Chester. Had scored 121 goals at Boundary Park (110 in the League) but could not reproduce the form for Crewe and left them for Rochdale after 5 goals in 15 games. Retired from League football in the summer of 1956 with a total of 147 goals in 273 appearances.